REGAL PERIOD, 753-509 B.C.
The Vision of Anchises.—The Kings that are to be.
Quin et avo comitem sese Mavortius addet
Romulus, Assaraci quem sanguinis Ilia mater
Educet. Viden’ ut geminae stant vertice cristae,
780Et pater ipse suo superum iam signat honore?
En huius, nate, auspiciis illa incluta Roma
Imperium terris, animos aequabit Olympo,
Septemque una sibi muro circumdabit arces,
Felix prole virum.
. . .. . ..
Quis procul ille autem ramis insignis olivae
Sacra ferens? Nosco crines incanaque menta
810Regis Romani; primam qui legibus urbem
Fundabit, Curibus parvis et paupere terra
Missus in imperium magnum. Cui deinde subibit,
Otia qui rumpet patriae residesque movebit
Tullus in arma viros et iam desueta triumphis
815Agmina. Quem iuxta sequitur iactantior Ancus,
Nunc quoque iam nimium gaudens popularibus auris.
Vis et Tarquinios reges animamque superbam
Ultoris Bruti fascesque videre receptos?
777 Avo = grandsire, i.e. Numitor, the father of the Vestal Rhea or Ilia.
Mavortius = child of Mavors, old and poetic name for Mars.
778 Assaraci: King of Phrygia and grandfather of Anchises.
779 geminae cristae. The double-crested helm, a distinction of Mars.
780 superum = for the world above, i.e. as a god. Acc. Sing.
808 ille = Numa Pompilius (716-673 B.C.), a native of Cures (12) in Sabine country, whom the Romans regarded as the founder (fundabit, 12) of their religious and legal institutions.
813 qui = Tullus Hostilius (673-640 B.C.), a man of war, destroyed Alba.
resides = sluggish, lazy (re + sedeo).
815 Ancus Martius (640-616 B.C.), conqueror of the Latins.
817 Tarquinios reges = (i.) Tarquinius Priscus (616-578 B.C.) of Tarquinii in Etruria; (ii.) Tarquinius Superbus (534-509 B.C.), expelled by Brutus. Vergil omits Servius Tullius (578-534 B.C.).
817-818 animamque . . . receptos. Brutus, nephew of T. Superbus, roused Rome to expel the Tarquins and found the Republic: and thus the fasces (the sign of power) were recovered (receptos) by the people.—Sidgwick.
ROMULUS, 753-716 B.C.
A. The Passing of Romulus.
His immortalibus editis operibus cum ad exercitum recensendum contionem in campo ad Caprae paludem haberet, subito coorta tempestas cum magno fragore tonitribusque tam denso regem operuit nimbo, ut conspectum eius contioni abstulerit; nec 5 deinde in terris Romulus fuit. Romana pubes, sedato tandem pavore, postquam ex tam turbido die serena et tranquilla lux rediit, ubi vacuam sedem regiam vidit, etsi satis credebat patribus, qui proxumi steterant, sublimem raptum procella, tamen velut 10 orbitatis metu icta maestum aliquamdiu silentium obtinuit. Deinde a paucis initio facto deum deo natum, regem parentemque urbis Romanae salvere universi Romulum iubent; pacem precibus exposcunt, uti volens propitius suam semper sospitet progeniem. 15
2-3 ad Caprae paludem = near the Goat’s pool.
4 operuit = enveloped (ob + pario = get for, put upon, cover), cf. opposite a-per-io = get from, uncover.
5 abstulerit = auferret. The event is regarded simply as past, without reference to other past events.
5-6 nec deinde . . . fuit, cf. ‘Quirinus | Martis equis Acheronta fugit.’ Hor. Od. iii. 3. 15.
7 sēdato = settled, calmed. Sēd-o = cause to sit, cf. sēd-es, and our seat, settle.
11 orbitatis = of orphanhood; cf. orb-us = bereaved, and our orphan.
15 volens propitius, an ellipse of et, cf. optimus maximus.
sospitet = he may keep safe, preserve, cf. sospes = safe.
B. The Mystery explained.
Pulcher et humano maior trabeaque decorus
Romulus in media visus adesse via,
Et dixisse simul: ‘Prohibe lugere Quirites,
4Nec violent lacrimis numina nostra suis.
Tura ferant placentque novum pia turba Quirinum,
Et patrias artes militiamque colant.’
1-6 Romulus appears as a god to Proculus Julius, an honourable man, bidding him tell his people not to mourn for him, but to worship him as Quirinus, and practise valour and all warlike virtues.
1 trabea = in the (striped) robe of state.
3-5 Quirites (cf. Quirinus = the deified Romulus) = lit. spearmen. Connected with Cures and curis (Sabine word for a spear), used of Roman citizens as opposed to Roman soldiers.
NUMA POMPILIUS, 716-673 B.C.
The Gate of Janus, open in war but shut in peace.
A. Qui regno ita potitus urbem novam, conditam vi et armis, iure eam legibusque ac moribus de integro condere parat. Quibus cum inter bella adsuescere videret non posse, quippe efferari militia animos, mitigandum ferocem populum armorum 5 desuetudine ratus Ianum ad infimum Argiletum indicem pacis bellique fecit, apertus ut in armis esse civitatem, clausus pacatos circa omnes populos significaret.
1 Qui = Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome.
4-5 quippe . . . animos = since (he thought that) men’s tempers were made savage (brutalised) by warfare. efferari = orat. obl. part of Numa’s thoughts.
6 desuetudine = by disuse, i.e. by a cessation from the use of. Cf. de-docēre = unteach.
Ianum . . . Argiletum = (a temple of) Janus at the foot of the Argiletum, a slope to the N.E. of the Forum. (Prob. = the clayey ground, from argilla = white clay.)
8 clausus. It was closed for a short time, circ. 238 B.C., and again by Augustus 29-25 B.C.
Sunt geminae Belli portae, sic nomine dicunt,
Religione sacrae et saevi formidine Martis:
Centum aerei claudunt vectes aeternaque ferri
610Robora, nec custos absistit limine Ianus.
Has, ubi certa sedet patribus sententia pugnae,
Ipse Quirinali trabea cinctuque Gabino
Insignis reserat stridentia limina Consul;
Ipse vocat pugnas; sequitur tum cetera pubes,
615Aereaque adsensu conspirant cornua rauco.
609 vectes = bolts or bars, prob. from √veh = carry. Cf. vect-īgal.
612 Quir. trabea = in the state robe of Romulus, i.e. the striped robe of state, purple, with white stripes across.
cinctu Gabino = with the Gabine girdle, formed by girding the toga tight round the body by one of its loose ends.
613 reserat = un-bars. For sĕro = join, cf. our series.
Parallel Passages. Ovid, F. i. 115-132. Cf. Hor. Od. iv. 15. 9. Verg. Aen. i. 293-4.
Numa Pompilius. ‘The name of Numa is significant, and denotes an organiser or lawgiver. (For Numa cf. numerus, nummus, νόμος.) As Romulus was the founder of the State and of political and military order, so the legend regards Numa as the founder of the national religion.’—Ihne.
TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, 534-509 B.C.
The Purchase of the Sibylline Books.
In antiquis annalibus memoria super libris Sibyllinis haec prodita est. Anus hospita atque incognita ad Tarquinium Superbum regem adiit, novem libros ferens, quos esse dicebat divina oracula: eos velle venundare. Tarquinius pretium percontatus 5 est: mulier nimium immensum poposcit. Rex, quasi anus aetate desiperet, derisit. Tum illa foculum coram eo cum igne apposuit, et tres libros ex novem deussit; et, ecquid reliquos sex eodem pretio emere vellet, regem interrogavit. Sed enim 10 Tarquinius id multo risit magis dixitque anum iam procul dubio delirare. Mulier ibidem statim tres libros alios exussit; atque id ipsum denuo placide interrogavit, an tres reliquos eodem pretio emat. Tarquinius ore iam serio, atque attentiore animo fit; eam 15 constantiam confidentiamque non insuper habendam intelligit: libros tres reliquos mercatur nihilo minore pretio, quam quod erat petitum pro omnibus. . . . Libri tres in sacrarium conditi Sibyllini appellati. Ad eos, quasi ad oraculum, quindecimviri 20 adeunt, cum dii immortales publice consulendi sunt.
1, 2 libris Sibyllinis, i.e. a collection of prophecies uttered by the legendary prophetess who lived at Cumae, near Naples.
5 venundare = to sell. Cf. ven-eo (= venum + eo), ven-do, and our vendor.
12 delirare = to be out of her mind. Lit. to make a crooked furrow in ploughing; de + lira (a furrow).
19 sacrarium = the place for the keeping of holy things, i.e. the Capitol. The original Sibylline Books were burnt in the fire on the Capitol, 82 B.C., but a fresh collection was made by Augustus, and deposited in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine.
20 quindecimviri (sacris faciundis), i.e. a college of priests who had charge of the Sibylline Books.
Parallel Passages. Verg. Aen. vi., espec. ll. 42-101, for the Cumaean Sibyl.
The Sibylline Books. ‘There existed also Etruscan libri fatales (Books of Fate), and these, together with the Sibylline Books, were kept in the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter. Nothing seemed more natural than to suppose that Tarquin, who built that temple, purchased also the sacred books of the Sibyl.’—Ihne.
TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, 534-509 B.C.
A. Sextus Tarquinius at Gabii.
Inde in consilia publica adhiberi. . . . Ita cum sensim ad rebellandum primores Gabinorum incitaret, ipse cum promptissimis iuvenum praedatum atque in expeditiones iret, et dictis factisque omnibus ad fallendum instructis vana accresceret fides, dux ad 5 ultimum belli legitur. Ibi cum inscia multitudine, quid ageretur, proelia parva inter Romam Gabiosque fierent, quibus plerumque Gabina res superior esset, tum certatim summi infimique Gabinorum Sex. Tarquinium dono deum sibi missum ducem credere. 10 Apud milites vero obeundo pericula ac labores pariter, praedam munifice largiendo tanta caritate esse, ut non pater Tarquinius potentior Bomae quam filius Gabiis esset.
1 Inde, i.e. after the tale he told of his father’s cruelty had gained credit with the men of Gabii.
adhiberi = he was admitted. Historic Infin.
2 ad rebellandum = to renew the war.
4-5 ad fallendum instructis = were framed to deceive.
8 Gabina res = the cause of Gabii. For res cf. p. 11 (2).
11 obeundo pariter = by facing alike . . .
B. The Sequel: the Fall of Gabii.
Iamque potens misso genitorem appellat amico,
Perdendi Gabios quod sibi monstret iter.
Hortus odoratis suberat cultissimus herbis,
4Sectus humum rivo lene sonantis aquae.
Illic Tarquinius mandata latentia nati
Accipit, et virga lilia summa metit.
Nuntius ut rediit, decussaque lilia dixit,
8Filius ‘Agnosco iussa parentis’ ait.
Nec mora: principibus caesis ex urbe Gabina,
Traduntur ducibus moenia nuda suis.
1 genitorem appellat . . . = he calls on his father (to tell him) . . .
6 virga = with a switch.
summa = the tallest.
10 ducibus suis, abl., after nuda = deprived of.
Reference. Hor. Ep. ii. 1. 23-27. Horace refers to the treaty made by Tarquinius with Gabii.
Historic Parallel. Compare the extraordinary self-sacrifice of Zōpy̆rus, which enabled him to betray Babylon to his master Darius. Herod, iii. 153-158.
The Position of Rome, the future Mistress of the World.
Urbi autem locum Romulus incredibili opportunitate delegit. Neque enim ad mare admovit—quod ei fuit illa manu copiisque facillimum, ut in agrum Rutulorum Aboriginumve procederet, aut in ostio Tiberino, quem in locum multis post annis rex 5 Ancus coloniam deduxit, urbem ipse conderet,—sed hoc vir excellenti providentia sensit ac vidit, non esse opportunissimos situs maritimos urbibus eis quae ad spem diuturnitatis conderentur atque imperi. Itaque urbem perennis amnis et aequabilis et 10 in mare late influentis posuit in ripa, quo posset urbs et accipere ex mari, quo egeret, et reddere, quo redundaret: ut mihi iam tum divinasse ille videatur, hanc urbem sedem aliquando et domum summo esse imperio praebituram: nam hanc rerum tantam 15 potentiam non ferme facilius alia in parte Italiae posita urbs tenere potuisset. Urbis autem ipsius is est tractus ductusque muri cum Romuli tum etiam reliquorum regum sapientia definitus ex omni parte arduis praeruptisque montibus. Locumque delegit 20 et fontibus abundantem et in regione pestilenti salubrem.
3-6 quod ei fuit . . . = lit. which he might very easily have done with that band (of men) and those forces, so that . . .
4 Rutulorum. S. of Rome. Turnus their King. Capital, Ardea.
6 coloniam, i.e. Ostia, the harbour of Rome and chief naval station.
7-8 non esse opportunissimos, e.g. as exposed to sudden attacks, and likely to contain a too large foreign element.
12-13 quo redundaret = its own superabundance.
17-18 is tractus ductusque = the plan and direction.
19 definitus = bounded.
20 arduis praeruptisque montibus. ‘The amphitheatre of seven hills which encloses the meadows (afterwards the Campus Martius) in the bend of the Tiber, varying from 120 to 180 feet above the stream, offered heights sufficiently elevated and abrupt for fortification, yet without difficulties for the builder or cultivator.’
N.B.—In this passage be careful to translate Cicero’s long, periodic sentences by two or more separate sentences in English.
The Position of Rome. ‘There was no place better fitted for an emporium of the Tiber and sea traffic, and for a maritime frontier fortress than Rome. It combined the advantages of a strong position and of immediate vicinity to the river.’ Mommsen.
THE PRAISE OF ITALY.
‘Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus.’
Sed neque Medorum silvae ditissima terra,
Nec pulcher Ganges atque auro turbidus Hermus
Laudibus Italiae certent, non Bactra, neque Indi
Totaque turiferis Panchaia pinguis harenis.
140Haec loca non tauri spirantes naribus ignem
Invertere satis immanis dentibus hydri,
Nec galeis densisque virum seges horruit hastis;
Sed gravidae fruges et Bacchi Massicus umor
Implevere; tenent oleae armentaque laeta.
145Hinc bellator equus campo sese arduus infert;
Hinc albi, Clitumne, greges, et maxima taurus
Victima, saepe tuo perfusi flumine sacro,
Romanos ad templa deum duxere triumphos.
Hic ver assiduum atque alienis mensibus aestas;
150Bis gravidae pecudes, bis pomis utilis arbor.
At rabidae tigres absunt et saeva leonum
Semina, nec miseros fallunt aconita legentes,
Nec rapit immensos orbis per humum, neque tanto
Squameus in spiram tractu se colligit anguis.
136 silvae ditissima = most rich in forests.—Sidgwick.
137 Hermus, auriferous river of Lydia, cf. the R. Pactolus.
138 Bactra, modern Balk, N. of Afghanistan.
139 Panchaia, i.e. Arabia, the Eldorado of the Old World.
141 satis . . . hydri = where the enormous dragon’s teeth were sown. hydri (ὕδρος), lit. a water-snake.
143 Massicus umor = Massic juice, i.e. of Mt. Massicus in N.W. Campania, famous for its wine, espec. the Falernian.
144 implevere (sc. haec loca) = fill it all.
146 Clitumne. R. of Umbria, famous for its white cattle.*
146-148 White cattle were required for the sacrifices of the Triumphs.
149 alienis mensibus = in months not her own, i.e. in months properly belonging to winter.
150 bis gravidae pecudes = twice the cattle give increase, Conington.
151, 152 saeva leonum semina = the fierce lion-brood.—Mackail.
aconita, a deadly poison—monkshood.
153, 154 neque—anguis = nor with so vast a sweep gather himself into a coil, i.e. the snakes in Italy are not so large as elsewhere.
R. Clitumnus. Compare Pliny’s beautiful letter (viii. 8) describing its source.
* Cf. the Chillingham ‘Wild Cattle.’
EARLY REPUBLIC, 509-366 B.C.
ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (1)
‘How well Horatius kept the Bridge
In the brave days of old.’
Nec non Tarquinium eiectum Porsenna iubebat
Accipere, ingentique urbem obsidione premebat;
Aeneadae in ferrum pro libertate ruebant.
Illum indignanti similem, similemque minanti
650Aspiceres, pontem auderet quia vellere Cocles,
Et fluvium vinclis innaret Cloelia ruptis.
Venus brings Aeneas his new armour: he gazes at the shield whereon were wrought scenes of the story of Rome to be.
646 Porsenna.
‘Lars Porsena of Clusium
By the nine gods he swore
That the great house of Tarquin
Should suffer wrong no more.’—Macaulay.
648 in ferrum ruebant = were flinging themselves on the sword. C.
651 Cloelia, a Roman hostage, who escaped by swimming the Tiber.
B. Pons sublicius iter paene hostibus dedit, ni unus vir fuisset, Horatius Cocles. . . . Qui positus forte in statione pontis, cum captum repentino impetu Ianiculum atque inde citatos decurrere hostes vidisset, 10 trepidamque turbam suorum arma ordinesque relinquere, reprehensans singulos, obsistens obtestansque deum et hominum fidem testabatur nequiquam deserto praesidio eos fugere; si transitum pontem a tergo reliquissent, iam plus hostium in Palatio 15 Capitolioque quam in Ianiculo fore. Itaque monere, praedicere, ut pontem ferro, igni, quacunque vi possint, interrumpant; se impetum hostium, quantum corpore uno posset obsisti, excepturum. Vadit inde in primum aditum pontis, insignisque inter 20 conspecta cedentium pugnae terga, obversis cominus ad ineundum proelium armis, ipso miraculo audaciae obstupefecit hostes.
7 Pons sublicius = the pile-bridge, built by Ancus Marcius to connect Rome proper with the Janiculum-hill, or ridge.
8 Cocles = the one-eyed, from loss of an eye in battle.
10 citatos = at full speed. Adj. use of participle; cf. citato equo.
11 trepidamque turbam = panic-stricken and in disorder.
12 reprehensans = seizing them by the arm one after another.
14-15 si transitum . . . reliquissent = if they left the bridge free for the enemy to cross by. transitum = noun, in appos. to pontem.
21-22 obversis armis = as he faced about.
ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (2)
‘How well Horatius kept the Bridge
In the brave days of old.’
Duos tamen cum eo pudor tenuit, Sp. Larcium ac T. Herminium, ambos claros genere factisque. Cum his primam periculi procellam et quod tumultuosissimum pugnae erat, parumper sustinuit; deinde eos quoque ipsos, exigua parte pontis relicta, revocantibus, 5 qui rescindebant, cedere in tutum coegit. Circumferens inde truces minaciter oculos ad proceres Etruscorum nunc singulos provocare, nunc increpare omnes: servitia regum superborum, suae libertatis immemores alienam oppugnatum venire. 10 Cunctati aliquamdiu sunt, dum alius alium, ut proelium incipiant, circumspectant. Pudor deinde commovit aciem, et clamore sublato undique in unum hostem tela coniciunt. Quae cum in obiecto cuncta scuto haesissent, neque ille minus obstinatus ingenti 15 pontem obtineret gradu, iam impetu conabantur detrudere virum, cum simul fragor rupti pontis, simul clamor Romanorum alacritate perfecti operis sublatus, pavore subito impetum sustinuit. Tum Cocles ‘Tiberine pater,’ inquit, ‘te sancte precor, haec arma 20 et hunc militem propitio flumine accipias.’ Ita sic armatus in Tiberim desiluit, multisque superincidentibus telis incolumis ad suos tranavit, rem ausus plus famae habituram ad posteros quam fidei.
7 ad proceres = on the chiefs. For prŏcer cf. procērus = tall.
8-9 provocare . . . increpare. Historic Infinitives = Indic.
9 servitia = the slaves = servos. Abstract for concrete, freq. in Livy. Cf. Hor. Od. ii. 8. 18. (servitus = servi.)
14 obiecto = presented, i.e. to the enemy.
15-16 ingenti gradu = with mighty (heroic) stand. Cf. ‘firm as a rock.’
18 alacritate perfecti operis = from joy at the completion of the work.
24 plus famae . . . fidei = destined to win more fame than credit with posterity.
‘Oh Tiber! father Tiber!
To whom the Romans pray,
A Roman’s life, a Roman’s arms,
Take thou in charge this day!’
So he spake, and speaking sheathed
The good sword by his side,
And with his harness on his back,
Plunged headlong in the tide.—Macaulay.
ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (3)
How C. Mucius lost his Hand, but won a Name.
A. Obsidio erat nihilo minus et frumenti cum summa caritate inopia, sedendoque expugnaturum se urbem spem Porsena habebat, cum C. Mucius, adulescens nobilis, . . . primo sua sponte penetrare in hostium castra constituit; dein metuens, ne, si consulum 5 iniussu et ignaris omnibus iret, forte deprehensus a custodibus Romanis retraheretur ut transfuga, fortuna tum urbis crimen affirmante, senatum adit. ‘Transire Tiberim,’ inquit, ‘patres, et intrare, si possim, castra hostium volo, non praedo nec populationum 10 in vicem ultor; maius, si di iuvant, in animo est facinus.’ Approbant patres; abdito intra vestem ferro proficiscitur. Ubi eo venit, in confertissima turba prope regium tribunal constitit.
1 cum summa caritate = involving (cum) a very high price.
2 sedendo = by sitting down before, of a besieging army.
3 Mucius. From this incident surnamed Scaevola = the left-handed. After his time, a frequent surname in the Gens Mucia.
7-8 fortunā . . . affirmante = (a charge which) the present condition of the city would confirm (substantiate).
10-11 non praedo . . . ultor = not to plunder nor to retaliate on (lit. ‘an avenger in turn on’) our plunderers.
Cum peteret regem decepta satellite dextra
Ingessit sacris se peritura focis.
Sed tam saeva pius miracula non tulit hostis
4Et raptum flammis iussit abire virum.
Urere quam potuit contempto Mucius igne,
Hanc spectare manum Porsena non potuit.
Maior deceptae fama est et gloria dextrae:
8Si non errasset, fecerat illa minus.
1 sătellite = the attendant, i.e. the scribe or secretary of Porsena.
2 ingessit = thrust into (in + gero).
3 tam saeva miracula = such a miracle of stern fortitude.—S.
pius = feeling, as opposed to unnatural.
7-8 i.e. to have killed Porsena would have been less glorious than to display such heroism.—Stephenson.
Porsena. Livy tells us that Mucius, in gratitude for the magnanimity of Porsena, revealed to him that 300 Roman youths had sworn to attempt the same deed that he had undertaken. Whereupon Porsena feared to distress the Romans any longer, and made peace with them.
LATIN WAR. BATTLE OF LAKE REGILLUS, 498 B.C.
The Dictator and his Master of the Horse.
Ibi alia inter proceres coorta pugna. Imperator Latinus, ubi cohortem exulum a dictatore Romano prope circumventam vidit, ex subsidiariis manipulos aliquot in primam aciem secum rapit. Hos agmine venientes T. Herminius legatus conspicatus, interque 5 eos insignem veste armisque Mamilium noscitans, tanto vi maiore, quam paulo ante magister equitum, cum hostium duce proelium iniit, ut et uno ictu transfixum per latus occiderit Mamilium, et ipse inter spoliandum corpus hostis veruto percussus, 10 cum victor in castra esset relatus, inter primam curationem exspiraverit. Tum ad equites dictator advolat obtestans, ut fesso iam pedite descendant ex equis et pugnam capessant. Dicto paruere; desiliunt ex equis, provolant in primum, et pro antesignanis 15 parmas obiciunt. Recipit extemplo animum pedestris acies, postquam iuventutis proceres aequato genere pugnae secum partem periculi sustinentes vidit. Tum demum impulsi Latini, perculsaque inclinavit acies. 20
1 inter proceres. The Battle of Lake Regillus was, in the main, a Homeric battle of single combats between the opposing chiefs.
1-2 Imperator Latinus, i.e. Mamilius of Tusculum, son-in-law of Tarquin.
5 T. Herminius, one of ‘the dauntless Three,’ who kept the bridge.
7 magister equitum, i.e. T. Aebutius. The Master of the Horse, the second in command, was nominated by the Dictator.
10 veruto = with a javelin, cf. veru = a spit.
11-12 inter primam curationem = at the first attempt to dress his wound.—Rawlins.
13 dictator, i.e. Aulus Postumius. The Dictator (magister populi = master of the army) was appointed by one of the two Consuls (= colleagues) in a time of national danger to avoid the possible want of unity between the two consuls in time of war.
15 in primum = in primam aciem.
antesignanis, i.e. the first line fighting in front of the standards.
17 iuventutis proceres = the young noblemen, i.e. the cavalry are not only the younger men (in Livy often = iuvenes) but also patricians.
Reference. Macaulay, The Battle of Lake Regillus.
FIRST SECESSION OF THE PLEBS, 494 B.C.
The Fable of the Belly and the Members.
Tribunes of the People.
Pavor ingens in urbe, metuque mutuo suspensa erant omnia. . . . Placuit igitur oratorem ad plebem mitti Menenium Agrippam, facundum virum et, quod inde oriundus erat, plebi carum. Is intromissus in castra prisco illo dicendi et horrido modo nihil 5 aliud quam hoc narrasse fertur: Tempore, quo in homine non, ut nunc, omnia in unum consentientia, sed singulis membris suum cuique consilium, suus sermo fuerit, indignatas reliquas partes sua cura, suo labore ac ministerio ventri omnia quaeri, ventrem in 10 medio quietum nihil aliud quam datis voluptatibus frui; conspirasse inde, ne manus ad os cibum ferrent, nec os acciperet datum, nec dentes conficerent. Hac ira dum ventrem fame domare vellent, ipsa una membra totumque corpus ad extremam tabem 15 venisse. Inde apparuisse ventris quoque haud segne ministerium esse, nec magis ali quam alere eum, reddentem in omnes corporis partes hunc, quo vivimus vigemusque, divisum pariter in venas, maturum confecto cibo sanguinem. Comparando hinc, quam 20 intestina corporis seditio similis esset irae plebis in patres, flexisse mentes hominum. Agi deinde de concordia coeptum concessumque in condiciones, ut plebi sui magistratus essent sacrosancti, quibus auxili latio adversus consules esset, neve cui patrum capere 25 eum magistratum liceret. Ita tribuni plebei creati duo, C. Licinius et L. Albinus.
1-2 Pavor ingens . . . omnia. One of the Roman armies (mainly recruited from Plebeians) refused to obey orders, entrenched itself on Mons Sacer, and threatened to secede from Rome altogether.
2 oratorem (i.e. legatum) = spokesman, charged with a verbal message.
4 inde, i.e. from the Plebs.
10-11 ventrem . . . quietum = whereas the belly resting calmly in their midst.—Rawlins.
13 conficerent = grind, and so aid digestion. Cf. confecto l. 20.
19-20 maturum confecto cibo = brought to perfection only when the food is digested.—R.
24 sacrosancti = consecrated and inviolable.
24-25 quibus . . . esset, i.e. as official protectors of the Plebs, by their right of veto on the official actions of all other magistrates.
For the Fable, cf. Seneca de Ira ii. 31, and 1 Corinthians, xii. 12-27.
WAR WITH THE VOLSCIANS, 493 B.C.
Veturia and her son Coriolanus.
Coriolanus prope ut amens consternatus ab sede sua cum ferret matri obviae complexum, mulier in iram ex precibus versa ‘Sine, priusquam complexum accipio, sciam’ inquit, ‘ad hostem an ad filium venerim, captiva mater-ne in castris tuis sim. In 5 hoc me longa vita et infelix senecta traxit, ut exulem te, deinde hostem viderem? Potuisti populari hanc terram, quae te genuit atque aluit? Non tibi, quamvis infesto animo et minaci perveneras, ingredienti fines ira cecidit? Non, cum in conspectu 10 Roma fuit, succurrit: Intra illa moenia domus ac penates mei sunt, mater, coniunx liberique? Ergo ego nisi peperissem, Roma non oppugnaretur; nisi filium haberem, libera in libera patria mortua essem.’ . . . Uxor deinde ac liberi amplexi, fletusque ab 15 omni turba mulierum ortus et conploratio sui patriaeque fregere tandem virum. Complexus inde suos dimittit; ipse retro ab urbe castra movit. Abductis deinde legionibus ex agro Romano invidia rei oppressum perisse tradunt alii alio leto. 20
1 Coriolanus. Gaius Marcius received the cognomen of Coriolanus for his bravery at the capture of the Volscian town of Corioli (S.E. of Rome). After this, in a time of famine at Rome, C. advised that the corn obtained elsewhere should not be distributed, unless the Plebeians would give up their Tribunes. For this he was impeached and went into voluntary exile among the Volsci.
consternatus = in strong emotion—lit. ‘stretched on the ground.’
7 potuisti = had you the heart to—question indicated by tone of the voice.
10-11 non . . . succurrit = did it not occur to you?
19-20 invidia rei oppressum = overwhelmed by the unpopularity of his action.
20 alii alio leto, e.g. i. by a voluntary death; ii. put to death by the Volscians; iii. lived to old age in exile.
References. Cic. Brutus x. (compared to Themistocles). Plutarch, Coriolanus.
‘The germ from which the whole legend sprang is the story of the filial love of Coriolanus, and of the great authority exercised in olden times by Roman matrons over their sons and husbands.’ Ihne.
Shakespeare, Coriolanus, V. iii.
WAR WITH VEII, 483-474 B.C.
The Destruction of the Fabii at the Cremera, 477 B.C.
Campus erat, campi claudebant ultima colles
Silvaque montanas occulere apta feras.
In medio paucos armentaque rara relinquunt,
4Cetera virgultis abdita turba latet.
Ecce velut torrens undis pluvialibus auctus
Aut nive, quae Zephyro victa tepente fluit,
Per sata perque vias fertur, nec, ut ante solebat,
8Riparum clausas margine finit aquas:
Sic Fabii vallem latis discursibus implent,
Quodque vident sternunt, nec metus alter inest.
Quo ruitis, generosa domus? male creditis hosti:
12Simplex nobilitas, perfida tela cave.
Fraude perit virtus. In apertos undique campos
Prosiliunt hostes, et latus omne tenent.
Quid faciant panci contra tot millia fortes?
16Quidve, quod in misero tempore restet, adest?
Sicut aper longe silvis Laurentibus actus
Fulmineo celeres dissipat ore canes,
Mox tamen ipse perit: sic non moriuntur inulti
20Vulneraque alterna dantque feruntque manu.
Una dies Fabios ad bellum miserat omnes;
Ad bellum missos perdidit una dies.
Context. To protect their territory from the constant raids of the Veientines, the noble house of the Fabii offered to undertake the war themselves. The consul Kaeso Fabius marched out of the city at the head of his clan, followed by the blessings and good wishes of the admiring people. He erected a fortified camp near the R. Cremera (a tributary of the Tiber), and from this spot plundered Veientine territory.
1 campus. ‘Ovid here paints from fancy: there are, however, deep hollows admirably calculated to conceal an ambushed foe.’—Ramsay.
9 discursibus = runnings to and fro, of soldiers dispersing to plunder.
10 metus alter = fear of a second enemy, i.e. of one in ambush.
17 silvis Laurentibus. Laurentum on the coast of Latium between Ostia and Ardea. Wild boars are still found in the swampy thickets.
18 Fulmineo ore = with flashing tusk.—Hallam.
Parallel Passage. Livy, ii. 48, 49.
‘The story probably came from the Chronicles of the Fabian Clan, perhaps through Fabius Pictor, the first Roman annalist.’ Rawlins, Cf. Ihne, vol. i. cap. vi.
WAR WITH THE AEQUIANS, 458 B.C.
A. Cincinnatus called from the Plough.
Sed Aequos praecipue Quinctius Cincinnatus domuit, ille dictator ab aratro, qui obsessa et paene iam capta L. Minuci consulis castra egregia victoria recuperavit. Medium erat tempus forte sementis, cum patricium virum innixum aratro suo lictor in 5 ipso opere deprehendit. Inde in aciem profectus, ne quid a rustici operis imitatione cessaret, more pecudum victos sub iugum misit. Sic expeditione finita redit ad boves rursus triumphalis agricola. Intra quindecim dies coeptum peractumque bellum, 10 prorsus ut festinasse, dictator ad relictum opus videretur.
1 Aequos, mountaineers (closely allied to the Sabines) who lived in the mountains forming the E. boundary of Latium.
Cincinnatus. ‘The true type of primeval virtue, abstinence, and patriotism.’—Ihne.
2-4 qui . . . recuperavit. The Aequian general, Gracchus Cloelius, had defeated the consul, L. Minucius, and blockaded him in his camp on Mt. Algidus, the E. spur of the Alban range. Cincinnatus makes a wonderful night march from Rome of 20 miles, blockades in turn the investing Aequian force, and compels an unconditional surrender.
4 sementis = of the seed-time. Formed from semen, cf. sero.